Outreach and Education CommitteeLand and Water Plan UpdateMay 2006

I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Robert L. Cook will briefly update the Commission on the status of the agency’s efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (the Plan).

II. Discussion: In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature directed that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Tex. Park & Wild. Code §11.104). In November 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan. A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. The Plan is available on the TPWD web site. Executive Director Robert L. Cook will update the Finance Committee on TPWD’s recent progress in achieving the Plan’s Goals and Objectives as they relate to the Outreach and Education Committee.

The Plan consists of 8 Goals and a total of 56 Objectives. The Goals stated in the Plan are as follows:

I. Executive Summary: Darcy Bontempo, TPWD Marketing Director, and Laurel Simmons, Account Manager at GSD&M Ad Agency, will update the committee on how TPWD and GSD&M have been working closely together on the "Life's better outside.&reg" communication effort over the past year to develop and produce print, radio and outdoor advertising as well as reach school teachers in 500 elementary schools in Texas. We will also provide an update on sponsorship efforts.

II. Discussion: "Life's better outside.&reg" - Texas Parks and Wildlife believes that spending time in the outdoors is a meaningful and healthy way for families to spend time together. The "Life's better outside.&reg" advertising effort encourages families, especially urban families, to do just that. Research conducted by GSD&M revealed that most urban parents want to spend time outdoors with their families but often needed to be reminded to do this and to encourage their kids to set aside their indoor interests to spend an afternoon or a weekend in the outdoors together. Research also indicated that many parents do not know where to go to enjoy outdoor activities and do not want to travel for a long time to get there. The communication effort addresses these issues in a captivating and clever way. GSD&M will share the advertising they have developed and talk about their recent success in securing PSAs as well as securing donated school marketing support. We will also provide an update on future plans and sponsorship.

Outreach and Education CommitteeCoastal Expo Program BriefingMay 2006

I. Executive Summary: Coastal Expos were created to promote awareness and understanding of the functions and values of coastal ecosystems. For over five years, Coastal Expos have been held in major urban areas in Texas and in communities along the coast, reaching over 5,000 Texans each year with hands-on activities.

II. Discussion: Coastal Expos are outreach events spearheaded by the Coastal Fisheries Division and are conducted by staff from several divisions within the agency. Expos also rely upon partnerships with local organizations and community volunteers. Created to promote awareness and understanding of the functions and values of coastal ecosystems, Coastal Expos reach over 5,000 Texans each year, many of them schoolchildren who are learning about marine environments in their science studies.

Coastal Expos are held annually across Texas targeting the Lower, Upper and Middle Coastal regions. Coastal Expo recognizes that most of Texas forms the watershed for the Texas coast and that Texans all over the state, not just living along the coast, play a critical role in protecting coastal ecosystems. Many components of Coastal Expos also are used in the annual Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo, held in Austin.

The typical Coastal Expo is a two-day event for schoolchildren and/or the general public with an average participation over 1,500 people. (See Exhibit A.) During an event, visitors can see and touch crabs, sea stars, and other coastal animals; view a glass-bottom stream; solve a mysterious fish kill; learn what washes up on the Texas coast; fish for live catfish; and participate in many other hands-on, educational activities.